so many hours with her whispering in his ear.
He rose and prepared for the day, going to the office earlier than normal to take care of a few things before starting to read the manuscript again, this time with a pen and paper at the ready. He had a few minor changes he wanted to suggest, including more angst in the protagonist. He knew that if he were in the same situation as the former Navy captain, he’d have second thoughts about how to catch the murderer.
The villain she’d created was even more devious than the last one. His twisted mind made the battle between good and evil all the harder fought. Thomas had no doubt the book would appeal to men and women alike. He need only discover a way to spread the word and convince the public to buy it?
The editor from the broadsheet who published the serialized chapters written by A. Golden each week had agreed to add information about A Murder Most Unusual, the first book, at the end of the next two installments for a fee. Though the cost was steeper than Thomas had hoped, he was certain it would be a good investment.
But the murderer was preventing him from making any plans. Nothing could be scheduled until the person was caught. He pulled a blank sheet of paper from his drawer, searching his memory for anyone he knew associated with the East India Company and made a list of them. Unfortunately, the list was rather short. If the Company was tied to the crime, Thomas would have to take care who he spoke with and what he said.
By the time Bing bid him good evening, Thomas decided he’d start at his club and see what he could discover. He locked the door of the office and took a hackney to Boodle’s on St. James’s Street. Surely he would find one or two of the men on his list. If not, some intelligent conversation would keep his thoughts from circling around Annabelle and their kisses. He shook his head at the realization that for the first time, he sought conversation rather than liquor and cards. His life was already changing.
After greeting several acquaintances, he ordered a drink and settled at a table, prepared to wait as long as it took for at least one of the people on his list to appear.
“Raybourne. Haven’t seen you in days. Thought some terrible harm must’ve befallen you.” Viscount Stanton had been a friend since their university years. His roguish reputation exceeded Thomas’s, but the lord seemed determined to change that by dragging Thomas along with him to gaming hells and brothels. His pockets were much deeper than Thomas’s, so he often funded the debauchery.
Thomas had found such outings amusing in the past and had been happy to go along. But the idea of overindulging in anything no longer held any appeal.
“Stanton. I hope the evening finds you well.” Thomas stood to shake his hand then gestured for the viscount to join him. The lord wasn’t associated with the Company as far as Thomas knew, but good manners dictated that they visit.
Stanton, his attire the height of fashion and well-suited to his tall frame, signaled for a waiter then sat in one of the wingback leather chairs at the small table. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you for an age.”
“Still sorting through things at Artemis Press. It takes up most of my time these days.”
“I had nearly forgotten you’re a working man now. How terrible it must be to be tied to a desk.”
“Not so terrible.” The pleasure of reading Annabelle’s manuscript had been anything but. In fact, another idea on how to deepen the conflict occurred to him, and he longed for pen and paper to write it down before it escaped him.
“No need to pretend on my account.” Stanton ordered them both drinks when the waiter arrived despite the fact that Thomas’s glass was still full. “I can’t think of anything more tiresome than reading the hopeful meanderings of some writer who wishes to see their name in print.”
Thomas bit back a defense of the work, aware that trying to explain it would only encourage Stanton to deride it further. “It has its moments. Tell me, did you decide to buy that pair of bays you found at Tattersalls?” Changing the topic to horses was his best course if he wanted the lord to leave him in peace.
The conversation continued and other friends joined them,